MARSHALL BASKETBALL: Cline likely to join D’Antoni’s staff

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Another spot on new Marshall men’s basketball coach Dan D’Antoni’s staff looks close to being filled. Sources told the Daily Mail that Mark Cline, a Thundering Herd assistant since 2010, likely will be retained by D’Antoni.

Cline’s addition would give the Herd a veteran collegiate presence on the bench. D’Antoni has not been a college coach since 1971 when he was a young Marshall assistant. Chris Duhon, while not yet officially announced, is planned to join D’Antoni’s staff as well. This will be the former Duke standout’s first coaching job following a nine-year NBA career.

Before his tenure at Marshall under former coach Tom Herrion, Cline had spent time on the staffs at Oklahoma, Virginia Commonwealth, Virginia Tech, Old Dominion, North Carolina A&T and Fayetteville State. While at Oklahoma, he recruited and signed current Los Angeles Clippers All-Star Blake Griffin.

He also is a West Virginia native. Cline twice was named both a Parade All-American and state high school player of the year at Williamson High. He played four seasons for Wake Forest, serving as co-captain for the final two.

Other coaching candidates that have interviewed, according to sources, include former Wake Forest assistant and standout Marshall player Jeff Battle and Michael Peck, former Findlay Prep head coach and current head coach of the NBA Development League’s Idaho Stampede. D’Antoni also has talked to all members of Herrion’s coaching staff.

Contact sportswriter Derek Redd at derek.redd@dailymailwv.com or 304-348-1712. His blog is at blogs.charlestondailymail.com/marshall. Follow him on Twitter @derekredd.